NEPA--Environmental Assessment

approximately 9,030 acres (28%) of the total BLM acres within project area are generally suitable
for grazing (Figure 1-2).
Resource Management Plans establish programmatic direction for the management of BLM lands.
General Grazing Objectives in the RMP state: “Maintaining or improving the vegetation component
of the ecosystem is key to enhancing the resource values of the planning area to permit a balanced
mix of uses to ensure sustained yield. (p.5)”
BLM policy directs the BLM to focus available funding and resources on those areas where
problems and conflicts exist. The RMP places grazing allotments in one of three categories: “I”,
Improve; “M”, Maintain; or “C”, Custodial. The allotments in this landscape are all considered “M”
class - Maintain current satisfactory conditions - and will accordingly, receive attention as a second
priority (RMP p.6).
The RMP designates the BLM areas within the project boundary as emphasis areas:
• A - Livestock Management – “Manage suitable vegetation types for increased, sustained livestock production. One
goal is to improve range condition and productivity on native rangelands. Use improved management systems such
as rest-rotation and deferred-rotation if appropriate…Develop AMP’s on 71 priority allotments. (p.27)”
• C - Recreation – “Manage livestock under reduced intensity to utilize available forage and maintain plant vigor
while not degrading recreation values…Manage livestock grazing to make it compatible with recreation use.
(p.35)”
• Kw - Municipal Watershed – “Manage suitable vegetation types under low to moderate intensity for livestock
production with the intent to use available forage and maintain plant vigor. Reduce the number and/or season of use
for livestock where needed to achieve soil and water program objectives. (p.55)” This Management Area is found
within the project area boundary, but not within an active allotment.
These are used as the foundation to compare the current conditions of allotments to the desired
conditions for the allotments. The desired condition is then further defined at the project level (p.19).
An examination of whether each applicable RMP direction item is being met can be found in the
project record. A brief summary of that examination reveals that RMP direction is being met, or
conditions are moving towards the described direction.
Allotment Management Plans (AMP’s) and NEPA Analysis
While the Forest Plan/RMP establishes the general suitability of an area for livestock grazing, the
decision to authorize livestock grazing on a particular area of land is the outcome of a
comprehensive, integrated resource analysis for the particular allotment(s). This analysis, conducted
according to NEPA, is required in order to authorize livestock grazing on the project area, to
prescribe site-specific management of the rangeland resources, and to ensure management is capable
of meeting or moving toward desired conditions. Analysis and associated decisions made at this
level are documented in an EA (such as this document) or an EIS and a decision document, and
implemented through the permit, AMP, and annual operating instructions.
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